My sis is going to Israel...anything I can ask her to bring back that is unique?

I agree. I know you can get all spices but spices here in the open markets are something else. Fresh

zatar - etc.
Also if you want any recs for dining or whatever or just a contact in
case - please feel free to PM me.

 
How about a fresh, locally mixed batch of Zaatar? (more)

Should be fresher than some of the stuff we can get here. And maybe a couple of different versions--everyone has their own mix. . .

 
Do you have recipes from the region you have been wanting to try?

You might look some up and see what really grabs you.
Do you have any of Yotam Ottolenghi's cook books? I have Jerusalem and love cooking from it. What about picking up barberries, some great cinnamon, sumac, and perhaps a few grains indigenous to the area.

 
MMm Zatar! I have been the fortunate recipient of elaine's company and zatar.Both make me smile!

 
I am in Tel Aviv. Also thought of halvah - from the same markets -not supermarkets. And one other

thing that I know will surprise all of you - pistachio nuts. Unless you get them from the Middle East - turkey for example, you should bring some back - again fresh not supermarket bagged.

 
elaine, what's the deal with Turkish pistachios? My husband's friend brings us a huge

bag of pistachios and cashews every time he goes over to visit his mom.

 
They're supposedly the best in the world. I used to buy them in

the souks in Jeddah and bring big bags back to the States for friends every year when we came home. I brought some back for us when we returned home. I wish I still had some. You're a lucky girl.

 
How good are they compared to others you have tasted? Iranian are great too but that is a lost

pleasure

 
They're really good. Actually his mom flies from Iran to Istanbul to meet him.

Perhaps she's bringing them? I've never asked whether he picks them up in Turkey or gets them from her. I'm just grateful for a big honkin' bag of nuts.

 
I would want tahini. There is a much bigger variety there. The most common brand we see here is

mediocre, at best.

 
I just made hummus from dried chickpeas and whipped the tahini before adding the peas. Wow, what a

difference. I also paid attention and used water rather than more and more oil to thin it down. Great batch.

 
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